Community Nursing

We visit people in their own homes, aiming to avoid unnecessary admission to hospital.

The community nursing services provide care to patients across Surrey. We provide comprehensive assessment and skilled nursing care tailored to the needs of each patient.

We provide coaching to encourage patients to manage their conditions independently.
We also work closely with GPs, social and voluntary care, and Macmillan specialist nurses.

Find out more about what to expect from your district nursing service:

Your appointment

Response times will reflect your need. Below are some guidelines. If your new referral is for urgent care, we aim to contact you within four hours. Examples of this include:

administration of timed medication, such as insulin or intravenous antibiotics;

blocked catheter; or

uncontrolled symptoms in end of life care.

If your need is not urgent, we aim to contact you within 48-hours to agree an appointment. Examples of this include:

continence assessments;

one-off visits;

specialist assessments for long term conditions; or

wound care.

Services provided by Community Nurses

A comprehensive and holistic assessment of patients accepted by the service, and the creation of an individual care plan.

Leg Ulcer Management –assessment and treatment for patients with a leg ulcer accepted for admission to the caseload.

Wound Management –assessment, treatment and advice for patients with wounds.

Phlebotomy – venepuncture for housebound patients at home and in residential settings.

Immunisation influenza and other immunisations for patients at home and in residential settings who are part of the current caseload.

Continence Management –assessment and advice for patients with continence problems, including arranging the provision of continence supplies and referral to specialist continence services.

Diabetes Management and Treatment –home visits to provide diabetes treatment and monitoring (e.g. administration of insulin for patients who are unable to self administer, or have no carer/family member able to do so); may not always be housebound.

Monitoring and treatment of long-term conditions, for patients who are housebound or find it difficult to access regular healthcare (but not including annual reviews).

End of Life Care – on-going assessment, pain management and symptom control for terminally ill patients. Referral to Specialised Palliative Care services other services for patients/carers. Verification of death for patients on the caseload, where death is expected. Post bereavement visit.

Continuing Healthcare – completion of checklist and Health Needs Assessment for patients on the current caseload receiving community nursing care.

Medication administration – to support patients to administer their prescribed medication, enabling the patient to remain at home. Administration of medicines including:

Syringe pump medication

Rectal insertion

Transdermal medication

Intramuscular and subcutaneous injections.

Nurse prescribing by appropriately trained, experienced and competent District Nurses against a clearly defined formulary.

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Disclaimer

Our services are provided by Virgin Care Services Limited on behalf of the NHS including Farnham and North East Hampshire, Surrey Heath, Guildford and Waverley, Surrey Downs and North West Surrey Clinical Commissioning Groups.